Tollisen said he stepped down as justice so he could make a political run. He said he expects to be interviewed Tuesday by the committee.

"It's a surprise to a lot of people," Tollisen said.

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Asked about Wormuth, he said she did some things very well, and "obviously there's some things not everyone can agree on."

"I'm going to take a different approach and look at different, positive things I can bring forward," Tollisen said.

Wormuth has already interviewed with the committee. Asked if she would run without the its endorsement, Wormuth said she would decide if she loses party backing.

"I intend on running to be re-elected," she said. "I have been working on my campaign all along."

But Tollisen's entry into the race was a testament to Wormuth's weakened political standing — caused, in part, by questions over campaign donations and a private land sale.

The problems reached a breaking point last month, when Wormuth supported Christina Abele, the 22-year-old daughter of a town builder, to become director of the county animal shelter. The Republican-controlled Saratoga County Board of Supervisors rejected Abele's nomination.

Wormuth said Thursday she was not the only person to serve as a reference for Abele, and pointed out that while she was a member of the committee that interviewed and nominated the candidate, she did not head the committee.

"I am proud of the Republican values I have brought to the town," Wormuth said.